Wednesday, November 15, 2006

The annual Rural Action Holiday Open House will be held on December 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville. Join us in the beautiful opera house lobby for an evening of good food, good music and fun for Rural Action members and supporters. Silent Auction items will be showcased and bids will be accepted until Saturday, December 2 at 4 p.m.

The "Tis The Season To Buy/Give Local" is a fundraising event for Rural Action to be held on December 2 from 11:30 to 4:30 p.m. also at the opera house. This will coincide with Nelsonville’s Towne Center Christmas parade and activities.We will be having a bazaar featuring locally made products. We plan to have 20-25 local producers present to sell their products. Pre-made baskets as well as baskets to purchase and fill while shopping will be available. This is an opportunity to benefit the local economy during the holiday season. The fee per table for vendors is $20.00.

We will also be featuring approximately 10 local non-profits who will be encouraging shoppers to give the gift of support to a worthwhile organization for the holidays. Donation jars for each non-profit and wish lists of needed items will be prominently displayed. This will not only help to support local producers, but highlight many of the wonderful organizations that provide services to our communities throughout the year. A table fee of $20.00 per organization will be charged.

If you know of local vendors (locally produced products, please) who would be interested in buying table space for the bazaar, have them contact Rose Ann, Cynthia or Candi at our Trimble office 740-767-4938.

Holiday Arts ShowcaseBy Rina Taylor, Athens Uptown Arts Market

On Thursday, November 30, the Athens Uptown Arts Market will host a Holiday Arts Showcase taking place in uptown Athens from 4 to 8 p.m. The event will be held in conjunction with the Athens City Tree Lighting Ceremony, and will be held at the corner of Court and E. State Street in front of Bali Karma and Magic Video. There will be a large tent with many craft and art vendors, musicians, holiday-themed kids activities and special surprises. The City’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at the County Courthouse at 6 p.m. There will be carriage rides until 8 p.m. going up and down Court Street. This is a great opportunity to kick off the holiday season as a community, and to support the local businesses located in uptown Athens. This event is sponsored by the Hidden Treasures Neighborhood, the Athens Municipal Arts Commission, the Athens Uptown Business Association and the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. If you have any questions, or are interested in vending, playing music, or -volunteering at this event, contact: Colin@Bali-Karma.com or 594-6190.

Come to the Alternative Holiday Fair and give a gift that really matters! On December 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at United Campus Ministry (located at 18 North College Street in Athens), you’ll have the opportunity to buy a gift to support needy people around the world. Buy a bowl and help support AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe. Send a flock of ducks to a poor family in Peru. Purchase a card and help build a school in Indonesia. These are just a few of the meaningful gifts you can give this holiday. -This holiday, give a gift to the world! For more information call 740-593-7301.